COYOTES DRAFT PREVIEW: THURSDAY

As the Phoenix Coyotes prepare for the upcoming 2007 NHL Entry Draft, PhoenixCoyotes.com will begin daily ‘scouting reports,’ looking at a three potential draftees in a new feature titled: “Coyotes Draft Preview.”

In this installment of “Coyotes Draft Preview”, PhoenixCoyotes.com takes a closer look at the 19th, 20th & 21st ranked European Skaters, as compiled by Central Scouting’s Final Rankings.

Notes: A skilled two-way center...has good skating skills and soft hands...has good hockey sense and passes the puck well...very defensively reliable and does what it takes for the team to win...needs to add a physical component to his game.

Notes: Recorded 12 points (1 goal, 11 assists) in 40 games last season...a fast defenseman with good balance and agility...plays physical and finishes checks with authority...has good stick-handling skills and competes for the puck...sometimes needs to move the puck more quickly and needs to improve his consistency.

Notes: Last season, scored 30 points (9 goals, 21 assists) in 39 games...a playmaking defenseman with strong skating abilitiy...a mobile skater with good hands...makes good decisions with the puck and able to make passes through traffic...defensively reliable and versatile...uses his size and reach to his advantage...needs to improve his first-step quickness.